Splashing fortunes for a ‘fine’ look

26 Mar, 2023 - 00:03 0 Views
Splashing fortunes  for a ‘fine’ look Olinda before surgery

The Sunday Mail

Kimberly Mhembere

SOME locals of means — who have an insatiable appetite for curvy, wrinkle-free and well-defined bodies — are spending a fortune on beauty-enhancing cosmetic surgery, The Sunday Mail Society has gathered.

The desire for curvaceous figures, due to pop culture influences, appears to have gripped many, particularly women.

It is now not unusual to witness locals buying body-enhancing substances in shops.

The body-enhancement craze has arguably led to a surge in demand for items like hip pads and bust enhancers.

Pamela and Paloma

While the gym has traditionally done the trick, monied individuals now prefer quicker solutions like surgery, with the figures ranging between US$6 000 and US$20 000 per session.

Others go to extremes.

For some women who crave for an hourglass shape, weight loss and even tummy tucks are not enough. So, they have their lower ribs removed through a procedure known as rib resection.

This is a major surgery involving hospitalisation and risk of infection.

The surgeries are mostly done in countries such as Turkey, The Dominican Republic, South Africa, Columbia, the United States, Thailand and Mexico.

Investigations carried out by this publication revealed that such services are also available locally. One of the surgeries charges US$80 in consultation fees. However, efforts to get the actual cost of some of the procedures were in vain.

“I am afraid I cannot furnish you with such details. We are not allowed by the regulatory bodies to reveal such information,” a Harare-based surgeon said.

Some are making use of backyard surgeries, where they get hydrogel and silicone injections for about US$30. The injections are for enhancing the back.

Also, the black market is awash with body-enhancing tablets and hip-enlarging gels that cost from as little as US$5 per course.

Mai TT

Sadly, most of them are either fake or have long passed their shelf life.

The majority of locals do not come out in the open about the surgeries.

However, a few socialites — among them the Mlunjawana sisters, Pamela and Paloma — are doing so.

The United Kingdom-based social influencer, Pamela, recently set the social media ablaze when she revealed her body transformation through plastic surgery.

The luxury content creator has at least 150 000 followers on Instagram.

Pamela, on her social media platforms, acknowledged having liposuction, body contouring and inner thigh liposuction.

She also recalled how she hesitated to “fix” her breasts after the initial surgery.

“I decided to go with the tagged below Uniquezone Instabul as it may be a good idea to help anyone who might be venturing into getting some work done,” wrote Pamela on her Instagram.

“I had my breast augmentation almost seven years ago and I am avoiding replacing my implants because I know I will need a lift but my boobs kept growing,” she added.

Olinda Chapel, another United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean socialite, has publicly announced that she had several beauty surgery procedures.

Mai TT (born Felistas Murata) and Tyra “Madam Boss” Chikocho are part of the bandwagon.

Mai TT

“I had my liposuction and face peeling for the very first time. It cost me about 50 000 rand (US$2 700) for the whole session. I love the new me. Above all, the famous doctor from Herrwood Medical Centre.

“Just used to see him on television doing other celebrities like Zodwa, DJ Tira, but I finally got to meet him in person. It might be expensive but it is worth it,” wrote Mai TT on her Facebook page after the surgery.

Others feel the procedure is a way to address long-standing insecurities and gain a level of confidence that only comes from being confident in one’s body.

Demand

Reports indicate that the global cosmetic surgery market size is currently valued at US$56 billion. The figure is expected to grow by 4 percent by 2029.

According to the Global Aesthetic Survey by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), there has been a 9 percent increase in surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures over the past year.

ISAPS surveys plastic surgeons throughout the world.

In 2016, the survey noted that men accounted for about 14 percent of the 3,2 million performed worldwide.

The top five requested procedures by men were eyelid surgery, male breast reduction (gynecomastia), nose job (rhinoplasty), liposuction and hair transplant.

Conversely, the list for women, in order of demand, was breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty and breast lift.

Body contouring is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of skin and tissue after major weight loss.

The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) — a popular cosmetic procedure that uses the client’s own fat to create a higher, rounder and fuller butt — is also popular with well-to-do women.

Mommy makeover — a term that refers to a combination of plastic surgery procedures that target areas of the body most affected by pregnancy and breastfeeding, such as breasts and the abdomen — is also proving popular among locals.

Most women and men claim they undergo cosmetic surgery to boost their self-confidence, while others do it to attract the opposite sex.

Turkey has seemingly become the most preferred destination for those seeking cosmetic surgery procedures from countries like Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria, Congo and Ghana.

The women are attracted to the country because of the affordable prices, free visa entry and relatively cheaper flights.

This publication contacted some of the surgeons offering the services in Turkey to understand why women are flocking to the European country for the services.

“Women choose to go under the knife in efforts to get their bodies back to their pre-pregnancy state. Most of the procedures are done on women between the ages of 28 and 48. The average age is 34. These are women who are done with having kids and are financially well off,” revealed one of the surgeons, who preferred anonymity.

Caution

The women are, however, risking their health by undergoing the procedures.

In the worst cases, the procedures have fatal results.

Health experts warn that the commonly used materials in backside injections — including hydrogel and silicone — can move to other parts of the body, leading to granuloma lumps. Other complications include infections, disfigurement, scarring and in some cases, stroke.

“Those seeking such services must do a thorough research to ascertain the authenticity of the surgeons, their capabilities and reputation,” urged Dr Josephat Chiparinyanga, a Harare-based medical practitioner.

According to Dr Chiparinyanga, a BBL procedure can increase chances of fat embolism (fat blocking blood vessels because of the harvested fat getting into the bloodstream), a condition that can lead to death.

“Those willing to have the procedures are advised to lose weight so that they reduce the risks of venous thromboembolism (blood clots blocking veins), which can lead to sudden death.

“Infection, bleeding and wound dehiscence (opening of the wound) are some of the dangers that those who undergo plastic surgery face. As long as the individual follows an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, they are likely to regain weight,” he added.

Another health expert, Dr Ebison Chinherende, weighed in.

He notes the gastric bypass has actually become common these days.

This is a type of weight-loss surgery that involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine. After the gastric bypass, swallowed food goes into the small stomach pouch and then directly into the small intestine, bypassing most of the stomach and first section of the small intestine.

“The surgery (gastric bypass) is for weight loss. Cosmetic and plastic surgeries may come with physical and psychological complications. Nerve damage, infections, blood loss and vein blockage are some of the high risks. The gastric bypass also comes with the risk of developing ulcers, hernia and bowel obstruction, among others,” he warned.

However, Dr Nerina Wilkinson — a leading plastic surgeon in South Africa — argues that most people do not come to consult with a celebrity makeover wish list.

“Most of the patients I see are people who

just want to be the better versions of themselves. They do not want to look different, just to slightly enhance the features they have,” said Dr Wilkinson in a recent interview.

Reservations

Revered social commentator Dr Rebecca Chisamba does not see the need for cosmetic surgery.

“Whose standards are we using to measure beauty? This is a taboo in our culture,” she said.

“Despite advocating women to be content in our likeness, some decide to undergo surgery to feel good. Research more about the aftermath. Serious risks are associated with enhancement procedures.”

Traditionalist Mbuya Calista Magorimbo is disturbed by the growing trend.

“When a person undergoes cosmetic surgery, it means they are not content with who they are. This means they are not satisfied with how God and the ancestors created them.

“A person is made up of the physical and spiritual being. Cosmetic surgery means there are some foreign components that one is inducing into their body or there is something they are taking away from their body and this may anger the ancestors.

“However, being human, there may be a time when corrective surgery is key to save a life. That way, it then becomes an issue of your personal beliefs and principles,” said Mbuya Magorimbo.

Psychological impact

Psychologist and University of Johannesburg post-doctoral researcher Dr John Ringson reckons body shaming mainly motivates people to undergo such surgeries.

“Before we even talk about the effects, we need to look at what motivates one to go for cosmetic surgery. Plastic or corrective surgeries are for saving lives and are often recommended by experts when there is need.

“However, cosmetic surgery simply means one is not confident about who they are or how they look. This is an indication that mentally, they are not happy and their self-esteem is bruised. Surgery becomes their confidence booster. They ignore the fact that it may come with negative effects or can even be unsuccessful,” notes Dr Ringson.

He encouraged the public to undergo psychological consultations and programmes before the procedures.

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